Bayonne comic book and card game store celebrating its one-year anniversary

Amid the buzz of cars passing below the second floor of 762 Broadway in Bayonne, Manifest Comics & Cards sits quietly as the battleground of wizards and an escape into the universes of D.C., Marvel and, for the indie scene, Indie comics.

Owner Michael Chen, 31, recalls how just a year ago, following the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, he waded through darkness to get his store up and running.

“We were putting everything together here with no power,” said Chen. “Understandably people weren’t coming up. But the support for the store has been fantastic.”

Chen’s comic store features “a little bit of everything,” from comics to card games to statues, and he showcases original art from published artists.

A year later, Chen says he has learned some valuable lessons, including, “The best operator is the one that stays a fan and that enthusiasm carries over. It makes the store a hub, a place where people want to talk about comics.”

“The best place a comic fan can go to hang out,” said Mohammad Hassan, 27. “(Chen is) extremely knowledgeable and he never pushes a comic on you.”

The store will be celebrating its one-year anniversary tomorrow with raffles starting at 2 p.m., exclusive sales throughout the store, refreshments and the dsitribution of hardcover collections as a "thank you" to his supporters.

“My hopes for Nov. 16 is for people to hang out and to get to know each other,” said Chen. “I’m one of the only people that gets the full view of how healthy the comics and gaming community is in this area.

“The customers become your resource. I value the community and it would mean a lot to see that come to fruition,” said Chen.